Footwear

ABSTRACT

Footwear is disclosed with detachable sections having sole portions detachably attached to the sole in the heel and shank areas with upper portions attached to the sole portions.

O United States Patent [1 1 [111 Sachs 1 Oct. 2, 1973 FOOTWEAR 2,844,891 7/1958 Meltzer 36/76 [76] Inventor: Maxwell Sachs, 887 w. Roxbury Chestnut Hill, Mass- 02167 3,436,845 4/1969 Sachs 36/25 w 22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 Appl. No.: 282,561

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 100,235, Dec. 2l, I970.

Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorney -Abbott Spear ABSTRACT Footwear is disclosed with detachable sections having sole portions detachably attached to the sole in the heel and shank areas with upper portions attached to the sole portions.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,907,997 5/1933 Nickerson 36/44 17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 15h 1 I{HI/ 26 I H l I I rim l= 1 b I u I l FOOTWEAR The present application is a continuation-in-part of myco-pending application Ser.-N-o. 100,235, filed Dec. 21, 1970.

My invention pertains to detachable sole portions extending over heel and shank areas, with uppers attached, and designed to provide stability whether the uppers are attached in the shank or in the heel areas, as well as to provide comfortable fit and versatility.

Application Ser. No. 100,235 was based on the following earlier applications: Ser. No. 813,140, filed Apr. 3, 1969. Ser. No. 813,140 was based on the following earlier applications: Ser. No. 600,872, filed Dec. 12, 1966. Ser. No. 600,872 was based on the following earlier applications: Ser. No. 562,051, filed June 13, 1966, and Ser. No. 562,056, filed June 13, 1 966. Ser. No. 562,051 was based on the following earlier applications: Ser. No. 417,868, filed Dec. 11, 1964; Ser. No. 414,159, filed Nov. 27, 1964; Ser. No. 284,288, filed May 24, 1963; Ser. No. 37,907, filed June 22, 1960;

Ser. No. 755,156, filed Aug. 15, 1958; and Ser. No.

679,887, filed Aug. 23, 1957. Ser. No. 562,056, filed June 13, 1966 was based on the following earlier applications: Ser. No. 399,269, filed Sept. 25, 1964; Ser. No. 306,416, filed Aug. 30, 1963; and Ser. No. 129,891, filed Aug.7, 1961.2 I

In accordance with the invention, the general objectives are obtained by the use of particular constructions of the sole portions of detachable sections, the sole portions extending over heel and shank areas of the sole, with upper sections attached to the sole portions.

The features of my invention apply to footwear of every kind. Details, such as the construction of the sole of the footwear can vary, as, for instance, in the number of layers which the sole may have.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoe in accordance with the invention showing in dotted lines the detachable section positioned in the heel and shank areas;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a detachable section in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view enlarged of the sole portion of FIG. 4 is a bottom view enlarged of the detachable section of FIG. 2, with the lower layer cut away to show tuck endings; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the section of the lower layer around the shank portion of the heel area stud of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a detachable section in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a section taken approximately along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a section taken approximately along the line 88 of FIG. 3.

The shoe illustrated by FIG. 1 includes in dotted lines the outline of a generally indicated detachable section 20 similar to the generally indicated detachable section 21 of FIG. 2. The sole portion of the detachable section 20 is shown to extend over a heel area 22 and a shank area 23 of the sole of the shoe of FIG. 1. At 24 is generally indicated in turned-back position, a sole layer with an eleasticized section 25 and a ribbon 26 to which is attached an adjustably positioned hook 27 for tensioned attachment to socket 28 through a hole such as is indicated at 29 in the generally indicated sole portion 30 of detachable section 21 of FIG. 2, thus helping to maintain the detachable section in place as well as to flex and assist the fit of the shoe and to resist the slipping of the shoe and detachable section when on the foot. At 31 of FIG. 2 is shown a strap passing over the foot, and at 32 a strap passing around the rear of the foot, both attached to sole portion 30 at shank position 33.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged side view and FIG. 4 shows an enlarged bottom view, with the bottom layer partially cutaway, of the sole portion 30 of the detachable section 21 of FIG. 2. At 34 is indicated the rear edge of stiff forward tuck 35 between the top layer 36 and the bottom layer 37 of sole portion 30, and at 38 is shown the front edge 38 of a tuck which may be an intermediate tuck 39 with its rear end indicated by dotted line 40, or the front end of a forward extension of the rear tuck 41, dotted line 41 indicating the alternative front edge of the tuck 41, with the areas of the generally indicated sole portion 30 between 40 and 42 and between 34 and 38 being flexible to allow bending to adjust to a higher-heel shank section of the sole or when transferring the generally indicated section 21 between shoes of different heel heights or different size lengths and therefore different bends as the shank area moves away from the heel area. When the heel portion of the stiff tuck extends into the shank area it tends to resist bending, thus tending to stick up from the sole to a degree corresponding to the distance forward. A short distance is less troublesome, particularly on larger sizes with many of the newer lasts where the slope of the sole into the shank area is more gradual. A forward flexible area is, nevertheless, important in any case. In addition to other advantages, it facilitates attaching to the sockets. At 43 of FIG. 4 is indicated a layer of thick material to offset the thickness of the lasting allowance 44 of the straps shown as 31 and 32 in FIG. 2. When, for instance, the detachable section has a closed-back upper material corresponding to the material 44 would be the actual lasting allowance itself. The shank 45 of the rear stud 46 has additional length to offset the thickness of the material corresponding to the lasting allowance. The rear stud 46 is designed to fit into a rear socket in the sole such as is illustrated by the rear socket 47 of FIG. 1, and the forward stud 48 is designed to fit into a forward socket in the sole such as is illustrated by forward socket 49 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3, showing the stud 48 attached by eyelet 50 to the tuck 35 and lower layer 37 jointly.'

FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line 88 of FIG. 3, showing the rear stud 46 attached by eyelet 51 to the rear stiff tuck 41. The shank portion 45 of the stud 46 is shown as passing through a hole in the lower layer 37, the hole being illustrated at 52 in FIG. 5, which shows an enlarged view of the area of the lower layer 37 immediately surrounding the shank portion 45 of the stud 46. The radial slits 53 open up to permit the material of the lower layer 37 to pass by the flange 54 of the stud 46 of FIG. 8 in order to be cemented against the underside of tuck 41. Portions of the layer 37 further removed from the stud 46 are cemented to the underside of the lasting allowance. The shank portion 45 of the stud 46 has added length to offset the thickness of the lasting allowance.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view ofa detachable section in accordance with the invention. Dotted lines 57 and 58 indicate positions where breaks in the continuity of the stiff tuck material may be positioned to permit bending flexibility between the breaks. The buckles 5S and 56 permit length adjustments of the straps.

Fastening the studs directly to the tucks provides security of attachment. The tucks also serve the fit and comfort of the upper. In addition, they help to avoid wear tear of the sections of the lower layer of the sole portion caused by rubbing against edges of the socket channel as the detachable part slides into and out of an attached position, the tuck extending beyond the socket width. It can be advantageous for this purpose in various sizes and shapes.

The use of a sole portion which extends in both the heel and shank areas helps to balance the sole portion as well as to add to security of attachment, to permit the use of the same construction in the sole of the shoe and the sole portion of the detachable section whether there are upper portions in both the heel and shank areas or in only one of them, and in addition allows the securing advantages of an elastic layer 24 to be utilized where the upper is attached only in the shank area and where the upper extends only in the shank area, as well as where the upper is attached in the heel area. For nomenclature, inasmuch as the heel area is a very important part of the sole portion, the detachable section can appropriately be referred to as a detachable heel section. It can also be referred to as a detachable quarter.

From the foregoing it will be seen that footwear in accordance with the invention will be improved in variability, functioning, performance, comfort, and adaptability as well as in other respects.

I claim:

1. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section forwardly of said stiff section, a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section, and an upper section attached on one side of the foot to said shank area stiff section and extending over the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to said shank area stiff section.

2. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section forwardly of said stiff section, and a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section, and a strap section of upper attached on one side of the foot to said shank area stiff section and extending around the rear of the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to said shank area stiff section.

3. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section in said shank area, a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section and a stiff section in said shank area rearwardly of said flexible section, and an upper section attached on one side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sections and extending over the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to atleast one of said shank area stiff sections.

4. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section forwardly of said stiff section, a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section and a stiff section in said shank area rearwardly of said flexible section, and a strap section of upper attached on one side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sectons and extending around the rear of the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sections.

5. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion including a lower layer extending from a position in the heel area into the shank area, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in the heel area, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in the shank area, a flexible section between said stiff sections, an attaching stud attached directly to each of said stiff tuck sections and detachably attached to said sole, and a section of upper attached to one of said stiff tuck sections between said tuck section and said lower layer.

6. The article of claim 5 in which said upper section is attached to said stiff tuck section in said shank area.

7. The article of claim 5 in which said lower layer has an aperture in the heel area, said heel area stud including a shank portion which passes through said aperture.

8. The article of claim 5 in which said stiff heel area tuck section and said lower layer each has an aperture forwardly of said heel area attaching stud.

9. The article of claim 5 in which said shank area stud is attached to both said lower layer and said shank area stiff tuck section jointly.

10. The article of claim 5, and an upper layer extending over said lower layer and over said tucks.

11. A detachable footwear quarter including a sole portion having heel and shank areas, said sole portion including a lower layer extending in said heel and shank areas, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in said heel area, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in said shank area, a flexible section of said layer extending between the areas under said stiff tuck sections, an attaching stud attached directly to each of said stiff tuck sections, and an upper section attached to at least one of said stiff tuck sections between said tuck section and said layer.

12. The article of claim 11, and an upper layer extending over said lower layer and said tucks.

13. The article of claim 5 and an upper layer extending over said lower layer and said tucks.

14. The article of claim 13 in wich an aperture extends through said stiff heel area tuck section and said stud is attached to both said lower layer and said shank area stiff tuck section jointly.

17. The article of claim 7 in which said shank area stud is attached to both said lower layer and said shank area stiff tuck section jointly. 

1. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section forwardly of said stiff section, a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section, and an upper section attached on one side of the foot to said shank area stiff section and extending over the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to said shank area stiff section.
 2. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section forwardly of said stiff section, and a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section, and a strap section of upper attached on one side of the foot to said shank area stiff section and extending around the rear of the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to said shank area stiff section.
 3. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section in said shank area, a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section and a stiff section in said shank area rearwardly of said flexible section, and an upper section attached on one side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sections and extending over the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sections.
 4. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area aNd extending into said shank area, said sole portion being detachably attached to said sole in said heel area and in said shank area, said sole portion including a stiff section in said heel area, a flexible section forwardly of said stiff section, a stiff section in said shank area forwardly of said flexible section and a stiff section in said shank area rearwardly of said flexible section, and a strap section of upper attached on one side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sections and extending around the rear of the foot and attached on the other side of the foot to at least one of said shank area stiff sections.
 5. In an article of footwear, a sole including heel, shank, and ball sections, upper attached to said sole in said ball area, a detachable section including a sole portion resting on said sole in said heel area and extending into said shank area, said sole portion including a lower layer extending from a position in the heel area into the shank area, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in the heel area, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in the shank area, a flexible section between said stiff sections, an attaching stud attached directly to each of said stiff tuck sections and detachably attached to said sole, and a section of upper attached to one of said stiff tuck sections between said tuck section and said lower layer.
 6. The article of claim 5 in which said upper section is attached to said stiff tuck section in said shank area.
 7. The article of claim 5 in which said lower layer has an aperture in the heel area, said heel area stud including a shank portion which passes through said aperture.
 8. The article of claim 5 in which said stiff heel area tuck section and said lower layer each has an aperture forwardly of said heel area attaching stud.
 9. The article of claim 5 in which said shank area stud is attached to both said lower layer and said shank area stiff tuck section jointly.
 10. The article of claim 5, and an upper layer extending over said lower layer and over said tucks.
 11. A detachable footwear quarter including a sole portion having heel and shank areas, said sole portion including a lower layer extending in said heel and shank areas, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in said heel area, a stiff tuck section above said lower layer in said shank area, a flexible section of said layer extending between the areas under said stiff tuck sections, an attaching stud attached directly to each of said stiff tuck sections, and an upper section attached to at least one of said stiff tuck sections between said tuck section and said layer.
 12. The article of claim 11, and an upper layer extending over said lower layer and said tucks.
 13. The article of claim 5 and an upper layer extending over said lower layer and said tucks.
 14. The article of claim 13 in wich an aperture extends through said stiff heel area tuck section and said upper and lower layers forwardly of said heel area attaching stud.
 15. The article of claim 12 in which an aperture extends through said stiff heel area tuck section and said upper and lower layers forwardly of said heel area attaching stud.
 16. The article of claim 6 in which said shank area stud is attached to both said lower layer and said shank area stiff tuck section jointly.
 17. The article of claim 7 in which said shank area stud is attached to both said lower layer and said shank area stiff tuck section jointly. 